Palace had the worst record of all 92 Football League clubs in 2016 and, after only four Premier League wins this season, he was asked to step down by the club.

Despite spending over £50million in the summer transfer window, the Eagles are just a point above the relegation zone at Christmas, and the club have decided to act now, with former Sunderland and England manager Sam Allardyce installed as favourite to succeed him at Selhurst Park.

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In a club statement, Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “I would like to put on record our sincere gratitude for the tremendous service Alan has given us, both in his time here as manager and previously as a player.

“Following a fantastic second half of 2014/15, the 2015/16 season culminated in only narrowly missing out on winning the FA cup as well as securing our Premier League place for a record breaking fourth time.

“During his tenure Alan’s hard work and dedication were without question, he has improved so many areas of the Club and we wish him the very best for the future.

“With games now coming thick and fast over the holiday period the Club are hoping to put someone in place as quickly as possible but have nothing to say about a replacement at this time.”

Unsurprisingly, the news has provoked reaction from Newcastle United fans, who know all too well about the perils of Pardew’s stewardship.

Pardew, of course, presided over a dreadful run of form as Newcastle United manager in 2014, and after embarking on a similar run at Palace he has lost his job - not that United fans have been quick to offer sympathy.

The news failed to surprise Mark Carruthers, who tweeted: “The good streaks are great, the poor streaks are abysmal. Just as #NUFC supporters warned #CPFC when #Pardew was appointed. Not a shock.”

Scott Hope poured scorn on those who mocked Newcastle fans for their treatment of Pardew, saying: “We didn’t know what we were talking about did we?”

Gallowgate Shots hilariously touted Pardew for the next series of Celebrity Big Brother, while Gary Wilding joke: “Pardew has been Pardewed.”

And Richard Barnsdall summed it up perfectly by tweeting: “Palace paid £2.5m for Pardew and sacked him 2 years later. We got Rafa Benitez. Merry Christmas!”

To see how Newcastle United fans have reacted to the news that Crystal Palace have sacked Alan Pardew, have a read below...